Inspiration : an exploration of the experience and its role in healthy functioning.

This dissertation reports the results of an investigation into the experience of inspiration. While the phenomena and concept of inspiration have been considered in religious studies and in momentous creativity, very little has been written about the experience from a social scientific view with respect to people who may not be noted for their creativity or religious revelation. This study conducted qualitative research in the form of in-depth interviews through two research projects. Results of these data combined with information gleaned from literature on creativity, transpersonal psychology, and religious experience helps in formulating a portrait of what inspiration is and what role it plays in healthy functioning. Rather than a rare event reserved for the gifted artist or great mystic, inspiration appears to be something that all of us experience and have some understanding of. All of the eighty-nine participants interviewed in this study described significant inspiration in their lives. It is a concept that is grounded in consistent identifiable experience. Inspiration appears to unfold in three general contexts: problem solving, spiritual events and in "everyday" experience. It is an event that is most easily noticed by its dramatic emotional, epistemological and, in some forms, spiritual, aspects. Inspiration provides psychological and spiritual sustenance through "remembrance". This is an experience which was shown to be consistent with Plato's understanding of uncovering the highest knowledge--anamnesis. This involves an expanded perspective of personal identity and a sense of recognizing some truth. Inspiration was shown to be significant for: problem solving, decision making, uncovering meaning and spiritual perspective, and in finding joy and vitality in daily living. Depression was named as the common and inevitable consequence of a lack of inspiration. Through inspiration individuals found dramatic "clarity", "energy", "connection" and an "openness" to the world. As we consider the extremes of depression and of inspiration, it appears that inspiration is related to fulfilling and vital functioning. While it does not seem possible to will inspiration into existence, this study found that it does seem likely that we can set up favorable conditions to encourage it. This varies depending on the context in which inspiration is desired, but have as a common essence an attitude of trust or faith and an ability or willingness to "listen" or to "allow" events to unfold. Applications for this knowledge seem particularly appropriate to education and to psychotherapy.